Microprocessor-based control system for gas turbine electric powerplant

Claim 2

A control system for a gas turbine electric powerplant having a high rotational speed gas turbine engine, comprising: a microprocessor; sensors for monitoring various conditions of said gas turbine electric powerplant; a fuel flow control means for controlling a supply of fuel to said gas turbine engine; an air removal means for permitting air to be rapidly vented from a combustion section of said gas turbine engine in response to a signal from said microprocessor; an air directing means for controlling the direction of air flowing into said gas turbine engine; software in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said sensors, said fuel flow control means, said air removal means, and said air directing means; and a means of inputting setpoint data to said software; wherein, said software reads said setpoint data, determines appropriate control actions, and directly activates one or more appropriate control devices, thereby allowing said control system to automatically operate said gas turbine electric powerplant; and wherein said fuel flow control means, said air removal means, and said air directing means are used substantially simultaneously to automatically control an overspeed condition of said gas turbine engine, even when said gas turbine electric powerplant is operating in an unattended state.

Claim 3

The control system of claim 1 , wherein said sensors are provided to monitor conditions selected from the group consisting of turbine speed, exhaust gas temperature, inlet air temperature, oil temperature, generator winding temperature, generator bearing temperature, gearbox bearing temperature, oil pressure, generator output, and inlet guide vane position.

Claim 4

The control system of claim 1 , wherein said means of inputting setpoint data is a keyboard.

Claim 5

The control system of claim 1 , wherein said means of inputting setpoint data is a touch screen.

Claim 6

The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a fuel control valve in communication with said software, said fuel control valve having an integrated microprocessor that compares demand signals from said software with actual fuel flow, and makes adjustments to said valve accordingly.

Claim 7

The control system of claim 5 , wherein said fuel control valve controls a supply of liquid fuel.

Claim 8

The control system of claim 5 , wherein said fuel control valve controls a supply of gaseous fuel.

Claim 9

The control system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator in communication with said software, said actuator adapted, in response to a signal from said software, to alter the angle of a set of inlet guide vanes within a gas turbine engine of said gas turbine electric powerplant.

Claim 10

The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a compression relief solenoid valve in communication with said software, said solenoid valve adapted, in response to a signal from said software, to allow the transfer of air from a combustion section of a gas turbine engine of said gas turbine electric powerplant.

Claim 11

The control system of claim 1 , further comprising means for viewing gas turbine electric powerplant conditions.

Claim 12

The control system of claim 1 , wherein said software is adapted to provide predictive modeling.

Claim 13

A microprocessor-based control system for a gas turbine electric powerplant having an aeroderivative gas turbine engine, comprising: a plurality of sensors for monitoring various gas turbine electric powerplant conditions; a compression relief system comprising a means for rapidly removing air from a combustion portion of said gas turbine engine during operation thereof, in response to a signal from said microprocessor; an air directing system for altering the angle at which incoming air impinges a set of compressor blades located within said gas turbine engine; software in communication with said microprocessor, said sensors, said compression relief system, and said air directing system; a fuel control valve for controlling the supply of fuel to said turbine engine, said fuel control valve in communication with said software and having an integrated microprocessor that compares demand signals from said software with actual fuel flow, and makes adjustments to said valve accordingly; and a means of inputting setpoint data to said software; wherein, said software reads said setpoint data, determines appropriate control actions, and directly activates one or more appropriate control devices, thereby allowing said control system to automatically operate said gas turbine electric powerplant; and wherein said compression relief system, said air directing system, and said fuel control valve are manipulated substantially simultaneously by said control system in response to detection of an overspeed condition of said gas turbine engine; whereby said overspeed condition is automatically controlled even when said gas turbine electric powerplant is operating in an unattended state.

Claim 14

A microprocessor-based control system for a gas turbine electric powerplant having an aeroderivative gas turbine engine, comprising: a plurality of sensors for monitoring various gas turbine electric powerplant conditions; a compression relief system comprising a means for rapidly removing air from a combustion portion of said gas turbine engine during operation thereof, in response to a signal from said microprocessor; an air directing system for altering the angle at which incoming air impinges a set of compressor blades located within said gas turbine engine; software in communication with said microprocessor, said sensors, said compression relief system, and said air directing system; a fuel control valve for controlling the supply of fuel to said turbine engine, said fuel control valve in communication with said software and having an integrated microprocessor that compares demand signals from said software with actual fuel flow, and makes adjustments to said valve accordingly; and a means of inputting setpoint data to said software; wherein, said software reads said setpoint data, determines appropriate control actions, and directly activates one or more appropriate control devices, thereby allowing said control system to automatically operate said gas turbine electric powerplant; and wherein said compression relief system, said air directing system, and said fuel control valve are manipulated substantially simultaneously by said control system in response to detection of an overspeed condition of said gas turbine engine; whereby said overspeed condition is automatically controlled even when said gas turbine electric powerplant is operating in an unattended state.

Claim 15

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said sensors are provided to monitor conditions selected from the group consisting of turbine speed, exhaust gas temperature, inlet air temperature, oil temperature, generator winding temperature, generator bearing temperature, gearbox bearing temperature, oil pressure, generator output, and inlet guide vane position.

Claim 16

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said means of inputting setpoint data is a keyboard.

Claim 17

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said means of inputting setpoint data is a touch screen.

Claim 18

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said fuel control valve controls a supply of liquid fuel.

Claim 19

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said fuel control valve controls a supply of gaseous fuel.

Claim 20

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said compression relief system employs at least one solenoid valve in communication with said software, said solenoid valve adapted, in response to a signal from said software, to allow the transfer of air from said combustion section of said gas turbine engine to the atmosphere.

Claim 21

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said compression relief system employs at least one solenoid valve in communication with said software, said solenoid valve adapted, in response to a signal from said software, to allow the transfer of air from said combustion section of said gas turbine engine to a collection device.

Claim 22

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said air directing system employs an electromechanical actuator, in communication with said software.

Claim 23

The control system of claim 20 , wherein said electromechanical actuator is coupled to a set of inlet guide vanes within said gas turbine engine.

Claim 24

The control system of claim 20 , further comprising a microprocessor on said electromechanical actuator for controlling the movement thereof in response to a signal from said software.

Claim 25

The control system of claim 12 , wherein said software is adapted to provide predictive modeling.